What does it mean to live in a place where the economy has collapsed? In Gaza, more often than not, it means overwhelming debt that takes away your freedom or takes away your home. Mr. Wafsi Al Garosha, covered in the NYTimes, must spend each week in debtors' prison. Mr. Husam A., the first Palestinian paralympian, threw shot put in 6 Olympiads- with 3 disabled children, he can't make rent. In this pilot project, we ask your help to pay their debt & a bit more so both families can make a living.
Due to a blockade lasting over 14 years, according to the UNOCHA, "the average debt among the poorest refugee households amounts to more than twice their annual income." Per the NYTimes, "in the first nine months of 2021 alone, the Gaza City police issued 448 arrest warrants for indebted bridegrooms - already more than the cumulative total recorded in the city throughout 2017, 2018 and 2019." This pilot project will help only two families, and if many pitch-in to donate, we will help many more.
Mr. Al-Garosha needs debt relief and the A. Family needs to cover rent. We have good experience helping Gaza families begin to recover, so we ask your help to also provide small start-up grants to each. In accordance with all U.S. law and best practices, our Non Governmental Org partners in Gaza will clear the debt for each family by transferring funds directly to the creditor of one and the landlord of the other. In addition, they will mentor each family and invest in their small business.
Giving these families a chance will make a huge difference in their lives. May this touch your heart and open doors for more Gaza families. This pilot project may well raise hopes for thousands. As always, our criteria for selecting beneficiaries will focus on families who are most in need starting with people with disability or illness, and single mother households. In the long term, may this project mobilize the support needed to open the blockade of Gaza and help restore the economy at last.
